Volunteer Highlight - Danny Holt

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11 May 2011

Daniel D. Holt was born in Washington D.C. but has lived in Florida for 26 years. You could say that he has sand in his boots and he calls Okeechobee home. Danny lives with his wife Miss M, three dogs and one cat. Danny also has three kids who are all grown and doing great. In his younger days, he played baseball, football and golf, and now enjoys keeping up on sports. He has been a part of jail ministry in Martin and St. Lucie counties and now as a Harley rider, he is part of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Retired from St. Lucie County, he says he now works full-time for Jesus. Like the old saying goes, "If you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life.” He has not worked in a very long time and declares his Boss is great!

Danny came to the LAHIA ministry three or four years ago when God blessed him with meeting Brother Larry, Brother Bill, Brother Matt and dear friend Sister Julie. Danny says he has never been with such hard-working people that show what real Love is, that being "GOD". The LAHIA ministry is all about helping people with food to eat, clothes to put on their backs and God's love to put them back on their feet and out of living in the woods. We show them that there is a different way to live their lives, by walking hand-in-hand with Jesus.

Danny reminds us that, “Our ministry will get as big as our Lord allows us to be. America is the best country in the world and there is no reason why everyone shouldn’t have a plate of food and a roof over their head. God Bless you all.”

Volunteer Highlight - Gail O'Brien

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01 April 2011

Gail O'Brien is another long-time volunteer who lives in Stuart.  She wears a couple different hats in her career as both a realtor and a caregiver while serving on the board of LAHIA.  Gail enjoys Bible studies, doing God's work, and spending time with her 91-year-old mother, 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.  Her other interests include diving, boating, traveling (especially mission trips), and helping others.

Several years ago her friend Joe Pokalsey told her about LAHIA feeding the homeless and giving out clothes.  They decided to take some clothes over and see how they could help.  Gail says, “I knew our Lord was calling me to help and I have been there ever since.”  Shortly after that, she was asked to serve on the board.  Gail assists with various social services for our homeless and indigent clients, both single folks and those with children.  She also coordinates the Saturday kitchen volunteer schedule.

When asked about her vision for LAHIA, Gail tells us, “I see our Lord growing LAHIA into a great mission for the homeless with a thrift store, housing for men and women as well as families, training for all of them to get back on their feet and helping others to do the same.  Our Lord is GREAT and does GREAT THINGS for those who ask!”

Volunteer Highlight - Ken Coolidge

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11 March 2011

This month we highlight another wonderful volunteer who faithfully serves LAHIA in many behind-the-scenes roles.  Ken Coolidge and his wife Shiela live in Hobe Sound, Florida with their daughter Cheri, her boyfriend Charlie, and two cats Marvin and Smudge.  Ken and Shiela also have 4 other children:  Kristen, Kathryn, Brian, and Lisa, two of which live in California and the others in Florida.  Ken retired from Pratt Whitney Aircraft in 1999 after 35 years of service plus 5 years of service to Rockwell during the Apollo program.

Ken’s interests include telling others about the Good News of Jesus Christ and time spent metal detecting, fishing, woodworking, metal casting, and picking.  Ken became involved with us early on as part of a loose-knit church support group that charted LAHIAs launch as an organization in 2007.  Ken played an intricate part in helping LAHIA obtain its 501(c)(3) status, he served on the Strategic Business Plan committee, has tackled the daunting task of several 2-day rummage sales, and continues to volunteer his time assisting with clothing donations, computer-related social services, food pantry distribution, counseling and clean-up.

His overall goal for LAHIA matches the rest of the LAHIA team, namely having a rescue facility to accommodate all that we do now as well as the ability to provide showers, dorms, thrift store and a full-time staff of professional counselors and spiritual mentors.

Thank you Ken and Shiela for your humble, sacrificial service for the King!

Volunteer Highlight - Susan Kujawa

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04 February 2011

My name is Susan Kujawa. I live in Martin Meadows with my husband Robert (KJ) of 35 years and our 50 lb Dalmatian, COLT, after the Indiana Colts, being that I am from Indiana and we got him the year the Colts won the Super Bowl! God has blessed us with two wonderful boys, Shawn and Christopher, as well as a wonderful daughter-in-law.

I am a RN of 35 years and graduated from Indian State University with a BS degree in Nursing. I work full-time at Martin Memorial Hospital and have been there for 19 years in the Cardiology Dept.

I love being with my family, working on stained glass projects and craft projects. I am involved in the Women’s Jail Ministry and go to the Martin County jail every Sunday morning before going to my church, Christ Fellowship (north campus), which meets in the Martin County High School.

I got involved with LAHIA from the very beginning at Christ Church on Cove Road. The first time we met was at a picnic table under a tree and we ate hot dogs. It was the beginning of a great ministry. After that first encounter, I knew God had placed it in my heart that I was to be involved in that ministry. I loved meeting the people and building relationships with them. God has blessed me in every area of my life and I want God to work through me to be able to bless others. I want them to know how much we care and love them regardless of where they live or what they wear.

My vision is that we have our own mansion, whatever size God wants us to have, so that we can first and foremost meet the spiritual needs of those that don’t know Jesus, and for those that do, that we can nurture them and help them to grow. We want to meet not only spiritual needs but also physical. social and psychological needs as well, to be able to provide a place of transition, a safe place, a loving place... a shelter. A place they can call home when they have no home. I also envision a thrift store where some can work and feel good about themselves.

I know God has great plans ahead for LAHIA and I can’t wait to see what he has in store. Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message) promises, "I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." At LAHIA, we truly believe this!

 

Volunteer Highlight - Bill Cisowski

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04 January 2011

Bill Cisowski volunteers as a LAHIA counselor and mentor to both the board members and the client/friends that we serve each day.  Bill and his wife Debi live in Hobe Sound with their dog, Sammy.  Bill is retired and now spends his time nurturing his garden, playing his guitar, writing fiction, ministering weekly at the Martin County Jail and also serves on the LAHIA board.

Bill’s vision for the future is to put the LAHIA ministry under one roof, possibly in a vacant storefront.  He would like to see a team of teachers and counselors working in shifts around the clock, counseling or praying at such a center.  He does not want to see LAHIA turn secular.  This ministry is Christ-centered and it is our deepest desire to remain that way.  God is blessing us daily and we will continue to serve Him as He leads.  Thank you, Bill, for your heartfelt contribution to LAHIA.

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